Korea’s future lies at sea

Growing up in Busan, I’ve witnessed firsthand how Korea’s second-largest city serves as more than just a commercial hub. This year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit brought renewed attention to the city’s diplomatic significance, as it hosted notable sideline meetings such as the summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as well as the final summit between President Lee Jae Myung and then-Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in September. While Busan is often framed through its history of hosting major events like APEC 2005 or its symbolic status as the last defensive bastion during the 1950-53 Korean War, these explanations often miss the deeper strategic reality. Busan’s true importance lies in its position at the epicenter of Indo-Pacific maritime security, a role that reflects Korea’s identity. The Republic of Korea is, above all, a maritime nation whose prosperity and security depend significantly on the sea. The “East-Up” map, recently presented by United States Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson, explai